Mar
08
How much longer will my dog live?
ByI have have a 14 year old American English Setter. She is blind, deaf, incontinent, she has the pre-effects of liver disease, and she has these really painful looking swollen hips (i think its hip dysplasia). She slips when she turns corners, and she has a hard time standing up, and just plops down, but she doesn’t seem to be in pain. And i was just wondering if anyone could give me insight as to how much longer they think her life is.
8 Comments
March 8th, 2010 at 4:04 am
I think that it’s over. I’m sorry but when your dog is suffering that much and has no quality of life, it’s time to say goodbye. Please let her go so she doesn’t have to suffer anymore. 14 years is a long life and now it’s time.
March 8th, 2010 at 4:31 am
Dogs don’t manifest pain the way that humans do. I’d almost guarantee that your dog is in pain. Please let her go. It’s time…
March 8th, 2010 at 4:32 am
That’s really sad. I’m so sorry, but since it has so many problems, you might want to get ready to say good bye to your dog.
March 8th, 2010 at 5:26 am
dog trainer 30 plus years -
Oh love…it seems that your baby is already showing you signs of discomfort. It is not a dogs personality to “ask” for help when in pain. You have seen the affects of aging from the blindness, deafness and incontinence as well as the swollen hips and the painful look that she gives. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do for our dogs is to let go…release them from the pain that they don’t vocalize to us. It’s a choice you and your family need to make. Dogs can linger in pain for a long time…but you have to give back by releasing them, listen to what her heart is telling you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you & yours.
March 8th, 2010 at 5:55 am
im 12 but when i was 11 my dog was suffering from a heart disase she was 14 she diddnt eat and she wasent happy we put her to sleep because its better to be dead then to be suffering .i may have cryed but i know she’ll always be in my heart. Im saying this because it think it maybe over spend as much time with her and cherish every moment . Dont worry she lived a happy life14 is old and she is sick .The oldder you get the harder is for thebody to heal. i wish your dog luck <3
March 8th, 2010 at 6:34 am
Take her to the vet and see what he recommends If she’s still eating and pooping, that’s a good sign, but the flip side of that is dogs hide pain well, so you really have no way of knowing if she’s in pain or not. Most dogs show pain by being restless, or walking around to find a different position to lay down in. If she can’t even walk, she can’t act restless, so it’s possible she’s in excruciating pain.
If the vet can control pain for her, it might make sense to ride it out a bit, but if he says he can’t, then she may be at that point where the kindest thing to do is let her go peacefully to sleep.
March 8th, 2010 at 6:53 am
Girl, you have to stop her suffering, Bring her to the vet whenever you feel most comfortable to. Be with her, hold cuddle and kiss her when the Vet injects her, and let her go peacefully.. Don’t let her go to Rainbowheaven without you being there..God Bless.
March 8th, 2010 at 7:01 am
If your dog is 14 years-old, you have taken very good care of her. As dogs get older they get health problems like your dog has right now. Unfortunately there is not much that you can do for your dog if she’s got liver disease and incontinent, which is a sign that she is going into kidney failure.
Most likely she will only live a couple more weeks at the most. So, the best thing you can do for your dog is to love her and give her the best time with the time she has left.
Dos are smart, they know when it is time for them to die. They stop eating food and drinking water and they sleep most of the time. If your dog is in pain or not living a good quality of life, the vet may suggest that you put her to sleep to spare her the pain. This is a difficult decision to make but just remember to do what is best for your dog.
I had a dog with liver disease so I know what you are going through with your dog. Give her the best care and lots of love for the couple of weeks or so that she has left with you.
Best of luck with your dog. Hope I helped.